Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-09-08

liquors are prohibited by an act Of Com
gress, yet In Juneau, the largest town,
having only 1900 people, there are fifty
whisky shops, in which is sold the most
fearful poison. The climate is damp
and chilly, and the popula-
ton being principally composed
of Indians and mere sojourners,
there is no sentiment to support. the law.
/ do not mention this as reflection upon
the federal officers in Alaska, who are con-
scientious and vigilant officials, but to en-
phasize the fact that even the United
States Government is powerless to eradi-
cate or regulate the appetite for stimulants
when climate and popular sentiment are
against the law. All this may be wrong
and to be deplored, but it exists, and the
practical and intelligent reformer or legis-
lator must take things and men, not as
they should be, but as they are.
How, then, are we to fight the evil of in
temperance?
First, and above all. by home and church
influence, by intelligent discussion and
every OF her instrumentality which can ed
ucate men to the ruinous effects of alco-
holic drinks. This must be the substratum
of all effort and legislation, and without
which statutes and penalties are worth
less.
The one decreases the number of saloons
and puts the traffic in the hands of the bet
ter class of dealers, while local option pre-
serves the great and essential principle of
local self-government, as opposed to that
centraliZing and paterlal doctrine which
ignores the sentiment of communities and
substitutes for it the opinion of strangers
and aliens.
If the appetite for stimulants can not be
eradicated, and if there are cities and
towns where the traffic will continue in
some shape no matter what legislation
may be had, then it far far better to regu
late the sale in these localities, improve the
quality of the liquors by proper inspection
laws, and derive a large revenue to the
State, than to drive the traffic into un
licensed holes and dens where poisonous
compounds madden and destroy their vic
tins.
l know there are honest and earnest men
and women who will hear of no COM
promise and who call any thing but abso-
lutte prohibition a concession to crime, and
pandering to the saloon influence. "Mur-
der and robbery" they argue, "often go
unpunished-shall we then repeal the law
against these crimes:"
When murder and robbery become part
Of the social life of large numbers of our
of good citizens as necessary to their health
and comfort, it will be time to discuss this
monstrous analogy.
In the meantime let US discard epthets
and give to high license and local option q
fair and earnest trial.
While | entertain these opinions on the
subject of local option generally, am
constrained to say that I believe as law
yer that the Supreme Court of this State
has made decisions indicating very dis
tinctly that those provisions of the Wood
law submitting to popular vote the ques-
tion of the statutes taking effect are I'M
constitutional. l have not the decision
with me, and only write from memory,
but this is my impression. The court is
not composed now of the same judges, and
may, upon argument, rule differently. In
other States the question has been decided
otherwise, and our own court may over
rule former decisions.
/ must also be permitted to say that
can never agree to that provision of the
Wood law which Furnishes a citizen for
offering glass of wine or beer to a guest
at his own table. This seems to be the
effect of the sixth section, and whilst am
a sincere friend of temperance, and of all
the agencies and influences by which it
can be promoted, l must protest against
the extreme Puritanism exhibited in this
provision. Unless / greatly mistake the
feelings and opinions of our people, this
portion of the law will be speedily
amended. Very truly, ETC.,